Billy Ray Burton

Billy Ray Burton, 88, of Sullivan passed peacefully into eternal life at 9:50 a.m. on January 24, 2024 in the comfort of his home.  He was born August 27, 1935 to Mabel Barnes Burton and Herbert Burton. Bill was born at home in Graysville. He was the last Burton brother. He was a graduate of Graysville High School. After graduation he was enlisted in The United States Army, where he was a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. He was a member of Sullivan American Legion, Elks 911, along with the Carlisle Masonic Lodge. He currently held the position  of “Deputy Mayor’’ of Greenbriar Subdivision.  After years of dedicated service he retired from Hutsonville Power Station. Bill was preceded in death by wife of 40 years, Dana McCammon Burton; brothers, Dwight Burton Sr. and Darrel Burton.

Surviving him are his daughter and son in-law, Jerri and Chuck Prose along with his grandson Eric Tyler Prose and girlfriend, Genna Davis along with his companion of 20 years Pat Cummings of whom he spent many days full of Joy and Laughter.

Bill was a member of the First Christian Church of Sullivan, where he was baptized in 2006 by Dale Wise. Bill was into Fast boats and Fast cars. He was a member of the Kentucky Drag Boat Association. Spending many hours at the boat races at Pisgah Bay, Kentucky Lake. Coffee and tall tales were one of his favorite past times spent at the picnic table at Bee Spring Lodge with the high performance mechanics talking racing strategy. His blue race boat  named “Kwitcherbitchen” Bill always said it was “German” for  “Loving Wife” was his favorite boat. Bill loved teaching  all the neighborhood kids how to water ski and pulled 9 skiers at one time at Sullivan Lake. Bill took his father Herb Burton on a Colorado raft trip in the 80s. A trip of a lifetime, camping and eating over a fire nightly, white water rafting daily. Bill and Dana enjoyed camping out west with friends, visiting the Black Hills, Bad Lands and Jackson Hole then on to Banff,  Alberta Canada.

A special Thanks to Diane Mann for all the hours feeding the pet squirrels  "Herb and Mable" in his later years.  A special Thanks to Peggy Lovelady, who spent many years making my Dads life easier. Bill enjoyed his English Springer Spaniels, Meghan and Maggie who were no doubt  lovingly waiting to play ball with their tails wagging. Bill's joy in his life was his grandson, Eric Tyler Prose. Many years were spent together rebuilding boats and cars. Their latest project was his pride and joy, a 1972 Corvette Stingray. Old stories were exchanged and new memories were made over hours of waxing and buffing.

A special Thanks goes to D.J. Huff for buying the last cup of coffee and also for 75 years of friendship and mischief . Those stories are still being told today and for many years to come. Another special Thank You goes to Travis Rusch for being a buddy to my Dad and the best pharmacist around. Also to Tracies Girls, caregivers from Terre Haute that helped create a peaceful and calm passing for Dad. I am forever grateful.

Bill rode into the sunset with Tom Selleck. ~ Ain't nobody sets a horse like Monty Walsh~

Visitation will be Saturday January 27, 2024  at Holmes Memorial Chapel from 11:00 am. until time of service with military honors given by Sullivan County Honor Guard.  Erich Blevins will officiate the service at 1:00 p.m.  Burial will follow at Center Ridge Cemetery.